It’s undeniable that modern foreign languages are often set aside for the more favourable STEM subjects. Is this due to a lack of knowledge behind the benefits of studying languages at school or university? Or are STEM subjects like maths, biology and chemistry seen as more desirable career paths for employers?
As the co-founder of a modern language related business, Language Learning Scotland, we aim to make language learning resources more accessible to students, whilst also promoting the study of languages beyond high school. Languages play a vital role in global communication, regardless of the industry. They help break down cultural barriers between countries and organisations in business, whether that be trading or negotiation; they improve awareness of other cultures and traditions and allow you to meet new people among a variety of other things.
So why are modern languages in decline? The benefits have always been clear and the facts concise, so what is the driving factor that is turning people away from these subjects? While in recent years there have been surges in the number of people studying Spanish or Mandarin at schools across the UK, the more traditionally taught French and German have suffered a disastrous decline. In February 2019, the BBC reported that modern language learning was at its lowest level in the UK since the turn of the millennium.
It is important that we get these numbers up, as this is not just a matter of the country having lower second language skills compared to the rest of Europe. An advisor at the British Council, Vicky Gough, said “If we don’t reverse recent trends we will be locked into a downward spiral of fewer pupils studying languages at GCSE, tiny and unsustainable numbers at A-level, the continuing closure of university departments, and fewer teachers”.
However, there are things that we can do to help aid this decline. Promoting the benefits of studying languages, not just the health benefits but the educational and employment benefits, is key to future success. A recent Guardian article discussed the warped perception that those with a STEM degree are more sought after by employers, and that in fact those with humanities, arts and social science degrees get jobs in 8 out of the 10 fastest growing sectors of the economy.
Understanding why the socio-economic impacts of learning foreign languages play an important role, we must first understand how they can influence the global marketplace. International companies make deals across the world, whether that be in manufacturing, finance or advertisement. There may be cultural barriers that can stop corporations securing deals to help them grow. That is why multinationals are keen on hiring those who can converse in the native language of the company’s home and the language of their international partners. These employees save costs on interpreters and ultimately a lot of valuable time. Without a doubt if you were to decide between two
candidates who had the exact same degree and level of experience, but one spoke a foreign language and the other did not, the candidate almost certain to get the job would be the one who speaks the foreign language, obviously.
Gavin Williamson, Secretary of State for Education for the UK Government, revealed the government’s plan to place importance on “subjects which deliver strong graduate employment outcomes in areas of economic and societal importance, such as STEM”. How this all links back to languages is that they can be studied alongside almost any degree. You could land a job at J.P Morgan Chase from studying Economics and Spanish or Biomedical Engineering and German at AstraZeneca.
Languages need to be treated as an ‘important subject’ in schools as they can enhance people’s chances throughout their university degree and later on in the workplace. It has been clear for more than a decade that those who hold the ability to converse in another language can make 20% more than their monolingual colleagues.
So why not study a language alongside your desired degree? It could help you land more job offers, get paid more, make you more desirable among employers and even produce tremendous health benefits.
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